7/30/11
After a summer full of highs and lows, I am finally home safe and sound after a week of near perfection at the beach with my family. I think along with ‘hope‘ and ‘peace‘ I’ll be adding ‘home‘ to my list of favorite words. I am grateful to recognize how blessed I am to have such a loving, welcoming, and fun home to return to. I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, but God has smiled on me in my life, and I am so thankful for it.
I left Uganda Sunday evening, but not without a few tears at the ticket counter where Kenya Airways was convinced that I had missed my flight. They eventually figured it out, and after 25 hours of traveling (with Simon and Garfunkel and Billy Joel in my head the whole time) my plane landed on time in Atlanta, and all of my luggage appeared, too. My mom welcomed me at the top of the escalator with a sign for ‘Muzungu’ and a giant hug and a few tears between the two of us. She drove me home while I called everyone I could to tell them I had made it and to finally hear voices from home. I had the greatest shower ever, the best meal ever, and a great night’s rest. Ted met us at the house with all of the food I had mentioned I wanted when I got back, including Willy’s cheese dip. He seems like a pretty good one. All in all, it was a great homecoming.
Tuesday morning Mom and I drove by my apartment to sign the silly paperwork, and I got to hug Jess and catch up for a few minutes. I have missed her! I can’t wait to catch up with all of my friends in the next two weeks. I think it’s going to be a fun rest of summer before school starts. We went back to the airport for Amy, and then made the drive to the beach. We listened to Mom’s favorite CDs that we’ve listened to while driving to the beach over the past decade or two. The Dixie Chicks, Jo Dee Messina, and Shania Twain were good company, and Taylor Swift and Glee’s version of “Singin in the Rain” made their way into Mom’s repertoire this year.
We were welcomed to the Hoffman/Grizzle house on Tarpon with a few deer in the yard, a ton of hugs, and lasagna in the oven. We have stayed in the same house for 23ish years now, and it feels as much like home as any other house, even if we are outgrowing it slightly. Uncle Chris and Aunt Carol, along with the help of everyone else, had made banners welcoming me home, one signed by all the family, one with the names and things I’d talked about in Uganda, and one with a list of things I was thankful to come home to. I definitely teared up, and loved that homecoming, too. A little rain on Wednesday meant I got to finally see Harry Potter with Mitch, Carter, and Ryan, but the sun stayed out after that and I got in good beach time with my sisters and cousins, and we got to walk on the beach every night. Fripp Island really is my happy place, and since I’ve known it longer than any other place, I might start referring to it as my hometown one of these days.
I’ve been reflecting on Uganda these past few days, and my attention span has not been long enough to really process all I learned and all that I think my experiences there will come to mean. Right now, the best I can do is look at the sign Uncle Chris and Aunt Carol made with names and places and know that those will always have a place in my heart. I’ve also sniffed every piece of clothing as it has come out of the dryer and been reminded of just how spoiled I am. We are all so blessed in so many ways that we take for granted daily, and I hope that if nothing else just that small piece of knowledge will stick with me.
I think this will be my last public list of things I’m thankful for. I’m pretty sure I’ll continue keeping up with the list on my own, but I’d like to keep this blog specific to my African experience. I’ll probably try to figure out a way to print it and keep it at some point to look back on. Thank you to every single one of you for reading, commenting, emailing, calling, encouraging, and praying while I was gone. Whether I talk to you every day or haven’t seen you since I was in elementary school, the words, letters, banners, cards, pictures, and thoughts meant more than you could ever know.
I’m thankful...
1. for Willy’s cheese dip. It really was all I hoped it would be.
2. for giant hugs at the airport after long and cranky flights. I’ll never be too old for giant hugs from my mom.
3. for giant hugs at the Fripp house. I won’t outgrow my dad’s hugs either, or the rest of the family’s hugs for that matter.
4. for funny cousins to chase down the beach. It was fun to play again.
5. for the time and effort put into some signs to welcome me home. They really did make me very happy.
6. for big sisters. Amy wore a dress in my honor, and Ashley showered me with Mary Kay cosmetics, Pringles, and Cheerwine.
7. for fabric softener. Hanging clothes dry will just never compare.
8. for my parents, again. They’ve spoiled me rotten for a week, and I’ve been soaking it up.
9. for hot showers with fantastic water pressure.
10. for shrimp and grits. Another one of the best meals ever.
11. for sea turtles. I didn’t get to see one this year, but they really are the coolest animals (they might even beat penguins), and I’m glad Fripp is working hard to save some more.
12. for the magic of drinkable water from a sink.
13. for a safe trip home for all of the Grizzles.
14. for my beautiful and newly cleaned car waiting for me in the garage.
15. for reliable flushing toilets.
16. to be able and look back and read all of my adventures, good and bad, and know that I have had a once in a lifetime experience. I’m pretty sure like most other things in life, this trip is going to mean more and more as time goes on and I realize more of the impact it had on my life. I’m grateful for all of it, but I like my American life, too, and I can’t wait to get back to that one for awhile.
Thanks again to all of you and your support. I love you all!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
So Long Sweet Summer
7/22/11
Verity just left, and it’s now just me with my books and my DVDs until tomorrow evening. I’m going to miss her terribly, especially since she and I have managed to keep each other laughing through most of this experience. I know I’ll be fine. There’s Internet, a pool, and some good food in the meantime. I’m just going to miss my friends.
Friday morning we packed and watched Sex and the City until our driver showed up right around 11. The pangs of sadness finally hit as we were driving out of Mbarara. The faces of the villagers, the clinic staff, and everyone else in between flashed through my head the whole way to the hotel in Entebbe. I wish I could describe a drive through Uganda to you. It’s just something you kind of have to be there for. The radio station is half music from the early 90s and half commercials where everyone shouts, no matter the subject. Think used car commercials except for cell phones and family planning with happy Ugandan accents. Also, there’s the occasional goat or cow that doesn’t feel the need to move off the road, and the drivers think it’s a good idea to prod them with the car to make them move. Side note: I’m tempted to look into a project on traffic safety in developing countries. Driving here is amusing and terrifying all at once. Don’t worry Mom, the only driving I have left to do is the 5 minute drive to the airport. I promise I can see it from the lobby (but surprisingly I can hear nothing which is awesome). Anyway, in the background are some of the most gorgeous mountains and flowers I’ve seen. Every 20 minutes or so there’s a dirt covered village where every store front is painted in brightly colored paint as advertisements for cell phone companies and detergent brands. In the towns where the buses stop for a minute, kids with matoke and roasted pumpkin seeds RUN to sell snacks to the travelers from the windows. Uganda is definitely an interesting place.
We finally arrived at the hotel around 4, and when we got to our room, Verity and I acted like 12 year old girls. Not only is it clean, but there’s a tv, an awesome massive bed, chocolates on our pillows, and-this is where I literally jumped up and down-an overhead shower with hot water! We ate a super late lunch, hopped in the pool, and each showered forever. We watched a little Sex and the City, had a snack for dinner, and called it a night. This hotel is the most expensive thing I’ve paid for on this trip (it’d be expensive for me in the U.S., too), but I decided the Internet, pool, and comfort were a good investment in my sanity. The reason I’m waiting around until Sunday is because most of the flights run at night here (no clue why), and to leave on Friday or Saturday would mean leaving the airport close to midnight, and I didn’t feel good about that, or having to switch flights in Nairobi that late. So until Sunday afternoon I’ll kill some time, and hopefully stay sane.
I’m thankful...
1. for my safety so far on this trip. I’ve been very lucky, and I hope that will continue to be the case over the next couple of days.
2. to be out of Mbarara. It was a good home for me while I was there, but my last few days were getting to me, especially the douchey teenaged boys that would grab my arm (I finally went postal on one, and didn’t feel bad about it), and the bodas (motorbikes) that drive too close to the sidewalk. One nicked my arm with its mirror, and again, I went postal, but he was too far away to notice. Verity and Tom were amused at my ranting, though.
3. for a reliable toilet and shower. I’m not sure it has ever meant this much to me in my life.
To my family already at Fripp: I currently hate you, but cannot wait to be there with you in no time. Save me a chair and a beer at low tide.
To the rest of you: I’ll be home Monday afternoon (if all flights are on time), and will try to call as soon as I can. It may be a week or so, since I’ll be trying to book it to Fripp, and there’s not much cell service there, either. Can’t wait to see and talk to everybody I can! Love you all!
Verity just left, and it’s now just me with my books and my DVDs until tomorrow evening. I’m going to miss her terribly, especially since she and I have managed to keep each other laughing through most of this experience. I know I’ll be fine. There’s Internet, a pool, and some good food in the meantime. I’m just going to miss my friends.
Friday morning we packed and watched Sex and the City until our driver showed up right around 11. The pangs of sadness finally hit as we were driving out of Mbarara. The faces of the villagers, the clinic staff, and everyone else in between flashed through my head the whole way to the hotel in Entebbe. I wish I could describe a drive through Uganda to you. It’s just something you kind of have to be there for. The radio station is half music from the early 90s and half commercials where everyone shouts, no matter the subject. Think used car commercials except for cell phones and family planning with happy Ugandan accents. Also, there’s the occasional goat or cow that doesn’t feel the need to move off the road, and the drivers think it’s a good idea to prod them with the car to make them move. Side note: I’m tempted to look into a project on traffic safety in developing countries. Driving here is amusing and terrifying all at once. Don’t worry Mom, the only driving I have left to do is the 5 minute drive to the airport. I promise I can see it from the lobby (but surprisingly I can hear nothing which is awesome). Anyway, in the background are some of the most gorgeous mountains and flowers I’ve seen. Every 20 minutes or so there’s a dirt covered village where every store front is painted in brightly colored paint as advertisements for cell phone companies and detergent brands. In the towns where the buses stop for a minute, kids with matoke and roasted pumpkin seeds RUN to sell snacks to the travelers from the windows. Uganda is definitely an interesting place.
We finally arrived at the hotel around 4, and when we got to our room, Verity and I acted like 12 year old girls. Not only is it clean, but there’s a tv, an awesome massive bed, chocolates on our pillows, and-this is where I literally jumped up and down-an overhead shower with hot water! We ate a super late lunch, hopped in the pool, and each showered forever. We watched a little Sex and the City, had a snack for dinner, and called it a night. This hotel is the most expensive thing I’ve paid for on this trip (it’d be expensive for me in the U.S., too), but I decided the Internet, pool, and comfort were a good investment in my sanity. The reason I’m waiting around until Sunday is because most of the flights run at night here (no clue why), and to leave on Friday or Saturday would mean leaving the airport close to midnight, and I didn’t feel good about that, or having to switch flights in Nairobi that late. So until Sunday afternoon I’ll kill some time, and hopefully stay sane.
I’m thankful...
1. for my safety so far on this trip. I’ve been very lucky, and I hope that will continue to be the case over the next couple of days.
2. to be out of Mbarara. It was a good home for me while I was there, but my last few days were getting to me, especially the douchey teenaged boys that would grab my arm (I finally went postal on one, and didn’t feel bad about it), and the bodas (motorbikes) that drive too close to the sidewalk. One nicked my arm with its mirror, and again, I went postal, but he was too far away to notice. Verity and Tom were amused at my ranting, though.
3. for a reliable toilet and shower. I’m not sure it has ever meant this much to me in my life.
To my family already at Fripp: I currently hate you, but cannot wait to be there with you in no time. Save me a chair and a beer at low tide.
To the rest of you: I’ll be home Monday afternoon (if all flights are on time), and will try to call as soon as I can. It may be a week or so, since I’ll be trying to book it to Fripp, and there’s not much cell service there, either. Can’t wait to see and talk to everybody I can! Love you all!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
"Mama Mia, here I go again..."
7/21/11
My last day in Mbarara! You’d think there would be a little sadness in that statement, but there really isn’t. I’ve said my goodbyes, and I’m ready to be at the hotel in Entebbe with hot water and power (both of which are gone again this morning in Mbarara) and one step closer to home. The nice British professors (Tony and Matthew) took us out to Lord’s Bar last night for another lovely night of food and drinks. Those British geniuses can definitely hold their liquor. In the morning, Verity and I had a packing party with our Ipods and our suitcases, and then we killed the afternoon by watching Mama Mia, which has now been in my head for the past 20 hours. This morning, I’m packed and ready and praying that each bag weighs no more than 50 pounds. I think I can swing it this time, fingers crossed.
I’m thankful...
1. for the roommates who have kept my sanity this whole time.
2. for a final night with the clearest skies I’ll ever know.
3. for cheesy musicals to distract me when I’m antsy.
Much love!
My last day in Mbarara! You’d think there would be a little sadness in that statement, but there really isn’t. I’ve said my goodbyes, and I’m ready to be at the hotel in Entebbe with hot water and power (both of which are gone again this morning in Mbarara) and one step closer to home. The nice British professors (Tony and Matthew) took us out to Lord’s Bar last night for another lovely night of food and drinks. Those British geniuses can definitely hold their liquor. In the morning, Verity and I had a packing party with our Ipods and our suitcases, and then we killed the afternoon by watching Mama Mia, which has now been in my head for the past 20 hours. This morning, I’m packed and ready and praying that each bag weighs no more than 50 pounds. I think I can swing it this time, fingers crossed.
I’m thankful...
1. for the roommates who have kept my sanity this whole time.
2. for a final night with the clearest skies I’ll ever know.
3. for cheesy musicals to distract me when I’m antsy.
Much love!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I'm a Redneck Woman
7/20/11
Another day went by without any word from or trace of the doctor who so badly wanted to do a TB study. I even went to his office yesterday, but he was not to be found. I’m glad I came and all of that, but I feel like I’ve been seriously let down in the department of things I could do while I was here, and supervision. I definitely got left behind in the dust of all of Stephen’s other projects (the TB doctor is not his fault, it’s just icing on the cake). And since one of my biggest fears coming out here was being useless, that was not terribly conducive to a good experience for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of things, and met a lot of great people, and I guess that’s the main part of it, but it I feel like my learning experience as far as school is concerned might be a little bit lacking. Also, I’m a little bitter that I stayed an extra week (even though it was ultimately my decision) to specifically work on a study, and have ended up just killing time and money finding things to do. I apologize for being bitter, but I needed to rant for a second. The boredom is very much getting to me.
So yesterday, I did try to track down the doctor, did a little bit of laundry, went to town, and went to aerobics again last night. I had to make myself not pack because I knew as soon as I started, I wouldn’t stop, and then I’d be even more irritable and ready to leave. This has been a cranky post, and again, I’m sorry. I’m just ready to be home. I’ve had my fill, and it doesn’t help that along with my family, real food, my friends, and the beach waiting for me, there’s also a good guy that I very much would like to see.
Also, one more bitter rant, I got an email from my Atlanta roommate last night informing me that despite SEVERAL times checking with our apartment complex, and them assuring us that no more action was needed for our new lease until August, they’ve changed their minds, and I need to sign paperwork by July 26 or pay $1000. I know this one is not my fault because I was meticulous in making sure it was all dealt with before I left, and that nothing was needed until long after I was home. They assured me then that the paperwork was complete until August 5. One big massive grrr. I’m already planning my angry speech for Janice in the office there.
Despite all of the little things driving me crazy right now, I need to remember that they are indeed little things, and that life is a lot harder for most of the people very near me right now, and even for some at home. It’s just hard to keep perspective this week.
I’m thankful...
1. for the Ugandan cowboy in the market yesterday. Yes he was singing "Redneck Woman". He was also wearing women's jeans and women's boots. It was absolutely classic, and I did get a picture.
2. for the girl in the gas station telling me I’m the most beautiful muzungu she’s ever seen. Yes, I’m sharing that. Mostly because she has remembered my name the two times I have walked in there, and I have forgotten hers both times, so I’ve avoided that gas station for several weeks because I could NOT for the life of me remember her name (Sonya-now I know), and I felt horrible. Verity needed to go in last night, though, and I was once again embarrassed at my inability to remember names, and even more so after she said that. I was tempted to tell her to never leave Uganda so as not to shatter her illusions :)
3. for small problems rather than big ones. My family is healthy (Dad sounded very much like himself yesterday!), I do have a way home (even though it’s slow), the apartment problem is fixable, there is some water in the house, and today will be another good day.
I pack today, travel tomorrow, wait for my plane on Sunday, and land on Monday.
Another day went by without any word from or trace of the doctor who so badly wanted to do a TB study. I even went to his office yesterday, but he was not to be found. I’m glad I came and all of that, but I feel like I’ve been seriously let down in the department of things I could do while I was here, and supervision. I definitely got left behind in the dust of all of Stephen’s other projects (the TB doctor is not his fault, it’s just icing on the cake). And since one of my biggest fears coming out here was being useless, that was not terribly conducive to a good experience for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of things, and met a lot of great people, and I guess that’s the main part of it, but it I feel like my learning experience as far as school is concerned might be a little bit lacking. Also, I’m a little bitter that I stayed an extra week (even though it was ultimately my decision) to specifically work on a study, and have ended up just killing time and money finding things to do. I apologize for being bitter, but I needed to rant for a second. The boredom is very much getting to me.
So yesterday, I did try to track down the doctor, did a little bit of laundry, went to town, and went to aerobics again last night. I had to make myself not pack because I knew as soon as I started, I wouldn’t stop, and then I’d be even more irritable and ready to leave. This has been a cranky post, and again, I’m sorry. I’m just ready to be home. I’ve had my fill, and it doesn’t help that along with my family, real food, my friends, and the beach waiting for me, there’s also a good guy that I very much would like to see.
Also, one more bitter rant, I got an email from my Atlanta roommate last night informing me that despite SEVERAL times checking with our apartment complex, and them assuring us that no more action was needed for our new lease until August, they’ve changed their minds, and I need to sign paperwork by July 26 or pay $1000. I know this one is not my fault because I was meticulous in making sure it was all dealt with before I left, and that nothing was needed until long after I was home. They assured me then that the paperwork was complete until August 5. One big massive grrr. I’m already planning my angry speech for Janice in the office there.
Despite all of the little things driving me crazy right now, I need to remember that they are indeed little things, and that life is a lot harder for most of the people very near me right now, and even for some at home. It’s just hard to keep perspective this week.
I’m thankful...
1. for the Ugandan cowboy in the market yesterday. Yes he was singing "Redneck Woman". He was also wearing women's jeans and women's boots. It was absolutely classic, and I did get a picture.
2. for the girl in the gas station telling me I’m the most beautiful muzungu she’s ever seen. Yes, I’m sharing that. Mostly because she has remembered my name the two times I have walked in there, and I have forgotten hers both times, so I’ve avoided that gas station for several weeks because I could NOT for the life of me remember her name (Sonya-now I know), and I felt horrible. Verity needed to go in last night, though, and I was once again embarrassed at my inability to remember names, and even more so after she said that. I was tempted to tell her to never leave Uganda so as not to shatter her illusions :)
3. for small problems rather than big ones. My family is healthy (Dad sounded very much like himself yesterday!), I do have a way home (even though it’s slow), the apartment problem is fixable, there is some water in the house, and today will be another good day.
I pack today, travel tomorrow, wait for my plane on Sunday, and land on Monday.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Can't Read My, Can't Read My Poker Face
7/18-7/19
So the past 2 days weren’t quite what I expected. I have not been at the hospital because surprise, surprise, no one will get in touch with me. So instead, I’ve been to town about 12 times in the past two days. We’ve also been without power and water up until this evening, so I’ve been incredibly pleasant to be around. A major turnaround tonight, though. Our power came back, so we were able to cook, and we watched ‘Role Models’ as our family movie. Yay for turnarounds! Tomorrow I’m going to the hospital to give away some clothes, and maybe track down the doctor I’m supposed to be working with.
Two awesome things from the past two days:
1. Uganda Aerobics. You go to the dance club, which during the week is a sauna/aerobics place. There are big burly men bouncing around yelling out random aerobics moves that are terrible for your back and feet, and the club DJ does the music. You also have to go into the sauna to pay, which is covered in gross men in towels sweating it out. It’s definitely an odd experience, but one of my favorites since I’ve been here.
2. The snack guy at the pool has a crush on me, and therefore, I get free Cokes. I have no shame, I like free stuff.
I’m thankful...
1. for flushing toilets, even if you have to haul a bucket of water from the house next door to pour into the toilet to make it flush.
2. for awesome pedicures. My feet feel clean for the first time since I’ve been here.
3. needless to say, for Uganda aerobics. We’re going again tomorrow night.
4. for awesome music to do aerobics to. I love Lady Gaga in Uganda.
5. for power. Please appreciate the consistency you have at home.
6. for pools. They are definitely good fun.
I’m so close I can taste it! Goodnight All!
So the past 2 days weren’t quite what I expected. I have not been at the hospital because surprise, surprise, no one will get in touch with me. So instead, I’ve been to town about 12 times in the past two days. We’ve also been without power and water up until this evening, so I’ve been incredibly pleasant to be around. A major turnaround tonight, though. Our power came back, so we were able to cook, and we watched ‘Role Models’ as our family movie. Yay for turnarounds! Tomorrow I’m going to the hospital to give away some clothes, and maybe track down the doctor I’m supposed to be working with.
Two awesome things from the past two days:
1. Uganda Aerobics. You go to the dance club, which during the week is a sauna/aerobics place. There are big burly men bouncing around yelling out random aerobics moves that are terrible for your back and feet, and the club DJ does the music. You also have to go into the sauna to pay, which is covered in gross men in towels sweating it out. It’s definitely an odd experience, but one of my favorites since I’ve been here.
2. The snack guy at the pool has a crush on me, and therefore, I get free Cokes. I have no shame, I like free stuff.
I’m thankful...
1. for flushing toilets, even if you have to haul a bucket of water from the house next door to pour into the toilet to make it flush.
2. for awesome pedicures. My feet feel clean for the first time since I’ve been here.
3. needless to say, for Uganda aerobics. We’re going again tomorrow night.
4. for awesome music to do aerobics to. I love Lady Gaga in Uganda.
5. for power. Please appreciate the consistency you have at home.
6. for pools. They are definitely good fun.
I’m so close I can taste it! Goodnight All!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Every stranger's face I see reminds me that I long to be homeward bound"
7/15-7/17
Week 8 has finally arrived! One week from today I will be on a plane. I know it will come quickly, but it doesn’t seem close enough for reality to have kicked in just yet. You all know that I’ve been ready to go home, but I’m starting to have mixed emotions about leaving. This weekend has been a good one, though. After the blood bank on Friday, I wrote some, got a facial, and watched Dani pack to go home. We bought ‘Burlesque‘ in town for $0.75 (I’m not sure it was even worth that), but we had a quiet goodbye night with dinner and a movie. The water was off for most of Friday, and I ran out of Internet time, and I just knew God was laughing at me since I decided to stay. I have noticed He’s a pretty big practical joker like that. Anyway, she left yesterday morning, and while I was sad to see her go, we still had a great day in town (I bought more Internet), at the pool, and at Peers. We introduced Tom to Peers last night, and we all had a lot of laughs, great chicken, and probably too many beers (as evidenced by our singing along and dancing to easy listening from the early 90s). Verity and I were almost giddy to be out after dark since we’ve avoided it for so long. I think we were all so worn out from yesterday, that not one of us wanted to do anything at all today. We did make it to the bakery for some lunchtime samosas, and we bought their version of pizza for dinner tonight, which wasn’t half bad. I almost forgot, I turned in my paper today! There’s still some major editing to be done, but I’m glad to have that off my mind for a few more days. I ended my day with some calls back home. My dad has been puny, and I’m glad I got to hear his voice, but I hope it will pass soon. For one thing, he needs to be ready for the beach next week, and for another, he’s a terrible patient. I do wish I was there to be his ‘nurse’ although he’s probably glad I’m not because I tend to be pretty mean as his nurse. Prayers for both parents are needed, for Dad’s health and Mom’s patience, but also because Ashley’s air conditioner is broken and she and the dogs are moving in tonight, as well. At this point, I’m kind of glad to have not shown up and added to the chaos. I still miss the madness, though.
I’m thankful...
1. for new friends that I’ve made. I’m already planning for Dani and Verity to come visit next summer. Verity saw a scene of a baseball game on Sex and the City, and I promised I’d introduce her to the greatest sport with the greatest hot dogs ever.
2. for the ability to now laugh when the water shuts off.
3. for clean dishes. There are dirty ones in the sink currently, which drives me crazy, but the water is off again. What can you do?
4. for Internet dates. I got to get dressed up and talk to a nice guy back home for awhile, and it made my day.
5. for peanut butter Oreos. It’s a whole new love that I’ve discovered.
6. for Friday Night Lights. It’s a great show, and I picked it up in town so Tom could have a boy show to watch with us. I don’t think Texas translates well over here, though. Still love me some Tim Riggins.
7. for finishing papers. It’s always a good feeling.
8. for allowing myself the luxury of thinking about next week.
9. for another evening cool enough for a jacket. It feels amazing out right now.
Love you all!
Week 8 has finally arrived! One week from today I will be on a plane. I know it will come quickly, but it doesn’t seem close enough for reality to have kicked in just yet. You all know that I’ve been ready to go home, but I’m starting to have mixed emotions about leaving. This weekend has been a good one, though. After the blood bank on Friday, I wrote some, got a facial, and watched Dani pack to go home. We bought ‘Burlesque‘ in town for $0.75 (I’m not sure it was even worth that), but we had a quiet goodbye night with dinner and a movie. The water was off for most of Friday, and I ran out of Internet time, and I just knew God was laughing at me since I decided to stay. I have noticed He’s a pretty big practical joker like that. Anyway, she left yesterday morning, and while I was sad to see her go, we still had a great day in town (I bought more Internet), at the pool, and at Peers. We introduced Tom to Peers last night, and we all had a lot of laughs, great chicken, and probably too many beers (as evidenced by our singing along and dancing to easy listening from the early 90s). Verity and I were almost giddy to be out after dark since we’ve avoided it for so long. I think we were all so worn out from yesterday, that not one of us wanted to do anything at all today. We did make it to the bakery for some lunchtime samosas, and we bought their version of pizza for dinner tonight, which wasn’t half bad. I almost forgot, I turned in my paper today! There’s still some major editing to be done, but I’m glad to have that off my mind for a few more days. I ended my day with some calls back home. My dad has been puny, and I’m glad I got to hear his voice, but I hope it will pass soon. For one thing, he needs to be ready for the beach next week, and for another, he’s a terrible patient. I do wish I was there to be his ‘nurse’ although he’s probably glad I’m not because I tend to be pretty mean as his nurse. Prayers for both parents are needed, for Dad’s health and Mom’s patience, but also because Ashley’s air conditioner is broken and she and the dogs are moving in tonight, as well. At this point, I’m kind of glad to have not shown up and added to the chaos. I still miss the madness, though.
I’m thankful...
1. for new friends that I’ve made. I’m already planning for Dani and Verity to come visit next summer. Verity saw a scene of a baseball game on Sex and the City, and I promised I’d introduce her to the greatest sport with the greatest hot dogs ever.
2. for the ability to now laugh when the water shuts off.
3. for clean dishes. There are dirty ones in the sink currently, which drives me crazy, but the water is off again. What can you do?
4. for Internet dates. I got to get dressed up and talk to a nice guy back home for awhile, and it made my day.
5. for peanut butter Oreos. It’s a whole new love that I’ve discovered.
6. for Friday Night Lights. It’s a great show, and I picked it up in town so Tom could have a boy show to watch with us. I don’t think Texas translates well over here, though. Still love me some Tim Riggins.
7. for finishing papers. It’s always a good feeling.
8. for allowing myself the luxury of thinking about next week.
9. for another evening cool enough for a jacket. It feels amazing out right now.
Love you all!
Friday, July 15, 2011
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket"
7/14/11
Blood Bank success! I found the place, I didn’t faint, I’m currently not iron deficient, and I’m back home safely only about an hour and a half later. They disinfected everything to my satisfaction, I bled quickly, she got my vein on the first try, and I got a cold Coke afterwards. No excuses anybody else! If I can do it in Uganda, you can definitely handle it at home. The only downside was the scale, which confirmed my fear that I have indeed gained 6 pounds here. I think my family will be pleased to hear that I made up for the weight I lost last year. I am less pleased :)
So yesterday. I’m getting worse about doing this the day of. I wrote a little in the morning, and then Tom and I wandered into town for lunch and groceries. I feel better now that he knows where things are and can find his way from here on out. This kid is only 20, so between him and 22 year old Dani, I kind of feel like a camp counselor again. Dani and Verity met us there later, and we hit all of the highlights-the bakery, the DVD library, and the gas station that sells pineapple Fanta. Dr. Alex called to check in, and it was good to hear from him. He’s become a dear friend, and I’ll miss him a lot, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to visit each other when he’s in Boston for school. For dinner, we met up with several of the hospital staff to take Dani out for her farewell party since she leaves Saturday. It was a fun night at The Lord’s Bar (kid you not), and we had good food (goat roasted on a stick, Uganda’s version of salsa, and chapati), good beer, and good conversation under the stars. It was a beautiful night with a full moon (which is less scary when I don’t have to work), and my first ever shooting star.
I’m Thankful...
1. for shooting stars. My only regret is that I couldn’t think of a wish fast enough.
2. for country music in Ugandan bars-this is one of my favorite trends here.
3. for finding g-nut sauce in town. I’m trying to figure out a good way to get this stuff back.
Much love!
Blood Bank success! I found the place, I didn’t faint, I’m currently not iron deficient, and I’m back home safely only about an hour and a half later. They disinfected everything to my satisfaction, I bled quickly, she got my vein on the first try, and I got a cold Coke afterwards. No excuses anybody else! If I can do it in Uganda, you can definitely handle it at home. The only downside was the scale, which confirmed my fear that I have indeed gained 6 pounds here. I think my family will be pleased to hear that I made up for the weight I lost last year. I am less pleased :)
So yesterday. I’m getting worse about doing this the day of. I wrote a little in the morning, and then Tom and I wandered into town for lunch and groceries. I feel better now that he knows where things are and can find his way from here on out. This kid is only 20, so between him and 22 year old Dani, I kind of feel like a camp counselor again. Dani and Verity met us there later, and we hit all of the highlights-the bakery, the DVD library, and the gas station that sells pineapple Fanta. Dr. Alex called to check in, and it was good to hear from him. He’s become a dear friend, and I’ll miss him a lot, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to visit each other when he’s in Boston for school. For dinner, we met up with several of the hospital staff to take Dani out for her farewell party since she leaves Saturday. It was a fun night at The Lord’s Bar (kid you not), and we had good food (goat roasted on a stick, Uganda’s version of salsa, and chapati), good beer, and good conversation under the stars. It was a beautiful night with a full moon (which is less scary when I don’t have to work), and my first ever shooting star.
I’m Thankful...
1. for shooting stars. My only regret is that I couldn’t think of a wish fast enough.
2. for country music in Ugandan bars-this is one of my favorite trends here.
3. for finding g-nut sauce in town. I’m trying to figure out a good way to get this stuff back.
Much love!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
You Can't Always Get What You Want
7/13/11
Yesterday was a pretty decent day. After several more discussions, I decided to stay for the second time in a day. I will be doing some stuff at the hospital in town next week, and I feel good about staying, although, I can’t believe I turned down a chance to go home sooner. I would always rather be there, but I can stick it out here. The water shut off for half a second last night (it came right back), and I had tiny pangs of regret (I yelled at my roommates “I gave up a chance to go home for this crap!”), but we all ended up laughing about that and other stuff, and it will be a fun last week and a half. We introduced Tom to the take out process of ordering food over the phone, repeating the order back and forth about 4 times in several different ways, and hoping for the best. In all honesty, as hard as it is for us to understand each other, they’ve never messed up an order. I highly recommend Sab’s Delivery if you’re ever in Mbarara.
I’m thankful...
1. for the chance to talk to Amy for the first time since I’ve been here. I miss the voices of my family, and I’ll be so glad when we’re all together at the beach. It’s been too long.
2. for finding a new walking route. It’s quieter with less traffic, and it makes me happy.
3. for the chance to slack off for a day. I didn’t touch my paper, and it was lovely, but I know I have to get back to it today.
Love you all!
Yesterday was a pretty decent day. After several more discussions, I decided to stay for the second time in a day. I will be doing some stuff at the hospital in town next week, and I feel good about staying, although, I can’t believe I turned down a chance to go home sooner. I would always rather be there, but I can stick it out here. The water shut off for half a second last night (it came right back), and I had tiny pangs of regret (I yelled at my roommates “I gave up a chance to go home for this crap!”), but we all ended up laughing about that and other stuff, and it will be a fun last week and a half. We introduced Tom to the take out process of ordering food over the phone, repeating the order back and forth about 4 times in several different ways, and hoping for the best. In all honesty, as hard as it is for us to understand each other, they’ve never messed up an order. I highly recommend Sab’s Delivery if you’re ever in Mbarara.
I’m thankful...
1. for the chance to talk to Amy for the first time since I’ve been here. I miss the voices of my family, and I’ll be so glad when we’re all together at the beach. It’s been too long.
2. for finding a new walking route. It’s quieter with less traffic, and it makes me happy.
3. for the chance to slack off for a day. I didn’t touch my paper, and it was lovely, but I know I have to get back to it today.
Love you all!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
7/12/11
Only song title I could think of with goodbye in it. I should start with yesterday. My last day at the clinic was fairly uneventful. I brought in some snacks-cookies, ground nuts, something I couldn’t identify, but I assumed was good-and cards for the people at the clinic since it was my last day! After swapping many hugs and email addresses, I wrote for the rest of the day. Oh, almost forgot, Maureen gave me another dress yesterday, but wouldn’t let me pay for it. This one is another sundress, black with a little eyelet lace, and again, it made me so very happy.
Big news, one of the clinical trials that has been happening at the clinic has stopped and been redirected. I couldn’t figure out what the shouting and running was for, but then I found out that it means the drug they’re testing is so effective that they will no longer use placebos, and every person on study will get the drug. Basically, they’ve found a really good way to prevent transmission of HIV from one partner in a monogamous relationship to another. It’s a very big deal! I don’t know what that means for the bigger picture of cure, or if you’re having sex and are not married or monogamous. There’s promising talk of a vaccine, too, just FYI.
After all of that, Stephen drove me around for a looooong time last night to show me his family’s farm, and to meet some friends of his. It was very sweet of him, but I find Stephen a little harder to carry on a conversation with than some people, and I was just desperate to get home.
Little did I know that home now includes a male roommate. Tom is very kind, but it was a quick and shocking adjustment to sharing a bathroom, hanging underwear and bras up to dry, sitting properly in a skirt, and watching Sex and the City. And in case you’ve never heard this rant, I HATE sharing a bathroom with a boy. I love my brothers in law (where does the ‘s’ go in that one?), but my least favorite part of everyone home is sharing the bathroom with two boys. We are hoping we’ll make friends soon enough that he’ll go some places with us after dark, so we can enjoy the night life a little more.
I woke up this morning in a MOOD. I was wide awake at 6:30, the power was in and out, I was out of Coke (probably the biggest factor), and I woke up to several questions of if my supervisors are leaving, why should I stick around to do write a paper that I could easily do at home. I thought it was a fair point (one I didn’t really allow myself to think too hard about before), but 2 very important factors are in my way. 1. $1180. For $400 more, I could have just bought an entirely new plane ticket. I can’t fathom spending that much money for a difference of a week, no matter who’s paying or the infinite happiness going home would bring me. 2. I don’t want to leave Verity to fend for herself. Dani leaves us on Saturday, and I know she’s a big girl, and she’s lived alone in foreign countries before, but still. It would be that much harder for her, especially when we’ve made plans for our last week (and by plans I mean pool, facial, pedicure, etc.). So I’m staying (again). After a few tears with the Delta customer support people, I regrouped, the power returned, I took a decently hot shower, and I did laundry. God must be cracking up right now because the domestic chore of washing my underwear in a bucket (which I hope to never have to do again once I’m home) put me in a significantly better mood. Go figure.
Anyway, I’m Thankful...
1. for last days. Praise the Lord, it’s a big step out of the way.
2. for another dress. I’m quite pleased, and am so thankful for Maureen to take care of me in all kinds of ways.
3. for the beautiful garden Stephen’s friends had. It smelled a little like gardenias, but it was a different flower, and it might have been the prettiest yard I’ve ever seen. I have no idea how they pulled off watering a lawn in Africa. My only regret was it was dark, and I didn’t have a camera anyway.
4. for a random task to distract me from my self pity.
5. to know a reason for my constant hunger (even thought I think it’s kind of BS): apparently the preservatives in American food stay in your stomach longer than food without preservatives here. Too bad the calories stay in your stomach either way
6. for a friend who tried really hard to mail Diet Dr. Pepper to Uganda. Apparently it’s a lot harder than it sounds, but just the thought made my day.
Much love!
Only song title I could think of with goodbye in it. I should start with yesterday. My last day at the clinic was fairly uneventful. I brought in some snacks-cookies, ground nuts, something I couldn’t identify, but I assumed was good-and cards for the people at the clinic since it was my last day! After swapping many hugs and email addresses, I wrote for the rest of the day. Oh, almost forgot, Maureen gave me another dress yesterday, but wouldn’t let me pay for it. This one is another sundress, black with a little eyelet lace, and again, it made me so very happy.
Big news, one of the clinical trials that has been happening at the clinic has stopped and been redirected. I couldn’t figure out what the shouting and running was for, but then I found out that it means the drug they’re testing is so effective that they will no longer use placebos, and every person on study will get the drug. Basically, they’ve found a really good way to prevent transmission of HIV from one partner in a monogamous relationship to another. It’s a very big deal! I don’t know what that means for the bigger picture of cure, or if you’re having sex and are not married or monogamous. There’s promising talk of a vaccine, too, just FYI.
After all of that, Stephen drove me around for a looooong time last night to show me his family’s farm, and to meet some friends of his. It was very sweet of him, but I find Stephen a little harder to carry on a conversation with than some people, and I was just desperate to get home.
Little did I know that home now includes a male roommate. Tom is very kind, but it was a quick and shocking adjustment to sharing a bathroom, hanging underwear and bras up to dry, sitting properly in a skirt, and watching Sex and the City. And in case you’ve never heard this rant, I HATE sharing a bathroom with a boy. I love my brothers in law (where does the ‘s’ go in that one?), but my least favorite part of everyone home is sharing the bathroom with two boys. We are hoping we’ll make friends soon enough that he’ll go some places with us after dark, so we can enjoy the night life a little more.
I woke up this morning in a MOOD. I was wide awake at 6:30, the power was in and out, I was out of Coke (probably the biggest factor), and I woke up to several questions of if my supervisors are leaving, why should I stick around to do write a paper that I could easily do at home. I thought it was a fair point (one I didn’t really allow myself to think too hard about before), but 2 very important factors are in my way. 1. $1180. For $400 more, I could have just bought an entirely new plane ticket. I can’t fathom spending that much money for a difference of a week, no matter who’s paying or the infinite happiness going home would bring me. 2. I don’t want to leave Verity to fend for herself. Dani leaves us on Saturday, and I know she’s a big girl, and she’s lived alone in foreign countries before, but still. It would be that much harder for her, especially when we’ve made plans for our last week (and by plans I mean pool, facial, pedicure, etc.). So I’m staying (again). After a few tears with the Delta customer support people, I regrouped, the power returned, I took a decently hot shower, and I did laundry. God must be cracking up right now because the domestic chore of washing my underwear in a bucket (which I hope to never have to do again once I’m home) put me in a significantly better mood. Go figure.
Anyway, I’m Thankful...
1. for last days. Praise the Lord, it’s a big step out of the way.
2. for another dress. I’m quite pleased, and am so thankful for Maureen to take care of me in all kinds of ways.
3. for the beautiful garden Stephen’s friends had. It smelled a little like gardenias, but it was a different flower, and it might have been the prettiest yard I’ve ever seen. I have no idea how they pulled off watering a lawn in Africa. My only regret was it was dark, and I didn’t have a camera anyway.
4. for a random task to distract me from my self pity.
5. to know a reason for my constant hunger (even thought I think it’s kind of BS): apparently the preservatives in American food stay in your stomach longer than food without preservatives here. Too bad the calories stay in your stomach either way
6. for a friend who tried really hard to mail Diet Dr. Pepper to Uganda. Apparently it’s a lot harder than it sounds, but just the thought made my day.
Much love!
Monday, July 11, 2011
7/11/11
Not much new to report from yesterday. I actually was very productive with my writing in the morning, and I ran some errands in town that were pretty painless. I had to find snacks to share with the clinic since this is my last day! Woo! Stephen and Alex will both be leaving tomorrow (Stephen's going to Rome, how come I didn't make that invite?), and so I came to say goodbye to everyone since I will be without a ride from here on out. I'm not sure how I feel about being in Mbarara only for the next couple of weeks, but I'm grateful to be one step closer to coming home. I feel like I will be visiting the pool a lot.
I'm thankful...
1. for the bakery in town. Coke and a cookie have become a ritual that gives me something to look forward to when I go in.
2. for long walks. Verity and I found a new road to walk on with less traffic so we can get some much needed exercise (the Cokes and cookies are adding up).
3. for productive mornings. I'm still the most distracted person when it comes to writing, but I managed yesterday.
Much love!
Not much new to report from yesterday. I actually was very productive with my writing in the morning, and I ran some errands in town that were pretty painless. I had to find snacks to share with the clinic since this is my last day! Woo! Stephen and Alex will both be leaving tomorrow (Stephen's going to Rome, how come I didn't make that invite?), and so I came to say goodbye to everyone since I will be without a ride from here on out. I'm not sure how I feel about being in Mbarara only for the next couple of weeks, but I'm grateful to be one step closer to coming home. I feel like I will be visiting the pool a lot.
I'm thankful...
1. for the bakery in town. Coke and a cookie have become a ritual that gives me something to look forward to when I go in.
2. for long walks. Verity and I found a new road to walk on with less traffic so we can get some much needed exercise (the Cokes and cookies are adding up).
3. for productive mornings. I'm still the most distracted person when it comes to writing, but I managed yesterday.
Much love!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
"I'm everything I am because you loved me..."
7/9/11-7/10/11
No, I'm not getting mushy, that's just the song that was playing outside my window last night. It’s been a very quiet weekend. Dani and Verity went to the national park, and I watched the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother. Friday, I was thinking so much about what I was doing that I went a little overboard in not thinking about it at all. That’s what Mondays are for, anyway. For a whopping $30, I checked into a hotel down the street, and I enjoyed an overhead shower with warmish water, a clean room, and good food. I also enjoyed some fun conversation with a good friend back home. It was a little close to the street, though, so the sleep was not wonderful, but the shower was worth it. Today I ran a few errands, called Ashley for her birthday (she’s older than me and always will be!), and did not much else. All in all, I’d say quiet weekends with not much to do are incredibly underrated.
I’m thankful...
1. for junk food and DVDs. It felt a little like home for awhile.
2. for clean hair! I washed it several times to get all of the old shampoo out that I know our shower head misses. My head is less itchy now.
3. for cheesy love songs outside my window at 2 am. It really had been a long time since I’d heard that Celine Dion song, and now it’s on my ITunes.
4. for conversations back home. I miss home, and I’m so close, and I’m not wishing these 2 weeks away, but I am kind of hoping that they move quickly.
5. for getting used to not wearing make up. I put it on for the first time in a month yesterday, and it felt a little strange. Maybe I’ll feel better about going without it more often at home. No one here seems to notice, so why should anyone there, right?
6. for my sister, Ashley. She’s incredibly kind, extremely talkative, and loves animals (specifically dogs) more than is normal for any person. I love you, Elmira! I’m grateful that you were born, because otherwise, think of what Amy and I would look like :)
Goodnight All!
No, I'm not getting mushy, that's just the song that was playing outside my window last night. It’s been a very quiet weekend. Dani and Verity went to the national park, and I watched the entire first season of How I Met Your Mother. Friday, I was thinking so much about what I was doing that I went a little overboard in not thinking about it at all. That’s what Mondays are for, anyway. For a whopping $30, I checked into a hotel down the street, and I enjoyed an overhead shower with warmish water, a clean room, and good food. I also enjoyed some fun conversation with a good friend back home. It was a little close to the street, though, so the sleep was not wonderful, but the shower was worth it. Today I ran a few errands, called Ashley for her birthday (she’s older than me and always will be!), and did not much else. All in all, I’d say quiet weekends with not much to do are incredibly underrated.
I’m thankful...
1. for junk food and DVDs. It felt a little like home for awhile.
2. for clean hair! I washed it several times to get all of the old shampoo out that I know our shower head misses. My head is less itchy now.
3. for cheesy love songs outside my window at 2 am. It really had been a long time since I’d heard that Celine Dion song, and now it’s on my ITunes.
4. for conversations back home. I miss home, and I’m so close, and I’m not wishing these 2 weeks away, but I am kind of hoping that they move quickly.
5. for getting used to not wearing make up. I put it on for the first time in a month yesterday, and it felt a little strange. Maybe I’ll feel better about going without it more often at home. No one here seems to notice, so why should anyone there, right?
6. for my sister, Ashley. She’s incredibly kind, extremely talkative, and loves animals (specifically dogs) more than is normal for any person. I love you, Elmira! I’m grateful that you were born, because otherwise, think of what Amy and I would look like :)
Goodnight All!
Friday, July 8, 2011
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
7/8/11
So here’s what my paper is sounding like these days: “this program would be really great, but it has no money, and the schools pay some of the fees, but they also have no money, and the parents could pay the schools, but they have no money, and then their kids have to drop out, and then the schools will probably have to close soon because they again will have no money.” Uplifting stuff, right? Even if I get grant money, what happens in a few years when the grant runs out? Public health is utterly depressing. So is economics. I heard on the radio at dinner tonight that the Uganda shilling is the third most worthless piece of money in the world. This doesn’t help the theme of All of Uganda’s Problems Come From No Money and No Literacy. And then what really gets me is how all these countries who have money spend their money. Or spend money they don’t have. And allow unethical business agreements and practices in countries that are already barely standing by ripping off the few resources available so that they can make even more money. And then I read online that even with all of that money, there still aren’t enough jobs for everyone at home. I’m feeling frustrated these days. I want to move to Sweden. Can you think of any major conflict or ethical dilemma caused by the Swedes?* I can’t. They even gave us Ikea.
My second side project is doing some data collection on Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, another incredibly uplifting subject. We’ve done a bad job of treating TB the right way, and in the process, this new super bug of TB has formed, and is pretty much untouched by any antibiotics we have right now. It sounds like a bad comic book movie. Guess who got hit the worst. Yep, Africa. And because they don’t have enough problems, it’s usually the patients with HIV that get hit. I miss blissful ignorance a lot.
And on that lovely note, I did find some pirated DVDs in town, including Ally McBeal. Dani and Verity left today, and while my writing has not been fun, I have enjoyed a little bit of quiet. I had a hamburger (still tasted great), got some cookies from the bakery, have a line up of girly shows and movies, and I plan to zone out for the night.
Tonight I’m thankful...
1. for Sweden. Way to set an example, guys.
2. for learning one or two words in Ankole. People crack up when I say ‘webare’ (thank you). Doesn’t make for great confidence in my language skills, but they seem to be entertained if nothing else. Oh, and I’m trying to break the habit of ‘please’ after everything I ask for. Alex said it just confuses people. So much for being polite. I'm also glad he's just now telling me this.
3. for power. My little house on campus seems to be exempt from the scheduled power cuts every night this week. Good thing, because matches scare me, and my roommates aren’t here to save me if I light myself on fire.
*Looked it up and the last war Sweden had was in was 1814. It’s official. I’ll look into a visa as soon as I’m home and have enjoyed all of the comforts that unethical business practices have given me for a few weeks.
So here’s what my paper is sounding like these days: “this program would be really great, but it has no money, and the schools pay some of the fees, but they also have no money, and the parents could pay the schools, but they have no money, and then their kids have to drop out, and then the schools will probably have to close soon because they again will have no money.” Uplifting stuff, right? Even if I get grant money, what happens in a few years when the grant runs out? Public health is utterly depressing. So is economics. I heard on the radio at dinner tonight that the Uganda shilling is the third most worthless piece of money in the world. This doesn’t help the theme of All of Uganda’s Problems Come From No Money and No Literacy. And then what really gets me is how all these countries who have money spend their money. Or spend money they don’t have. And allow unethical business agreements and practices in countries that are already barely standing by ripping off the few resources available so that they can make even more money. And then I read online that even with all of that money, there still aren’t enough jobs for everyone at home. I’m feeling frustrated these days. I want to move to Sweden. Can you think of any major conflict or ethical dilemma caused by the Swedes?* I can’t. They even gave us Ikea.
My second side project is doing some data collection on Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, another incredibly uplifting subject. We’ve done a bad job of treating TB the right way, and in the process, this new super bug of TB has formed, and is pretty much untouched by any antibiotics we have right now. It sounds like a bad comic book movie. Guess who got hit the worst. Yep, Africa. And because they don’t have enough problems, it’s usually the patients with HIV that get hit. I miss blissful ignorance a lot.
And on that lovely note, I did find some pirated DVDs in town, including Ally McBeal. Dani and Verity left today, and while my writing has not been fun, I have enjoyed a little bit of quiet. I had a hamburger (still tasted great), got some cookies from the bakery, have a line up of girly shows and movies, and I plan to zone out for the night.
Tonight I’m thankful...
1. for Sweden. Way to set an example, guys.
2. for learning one or two words in Ankole. People crack up when I say ‘webare’ (thank you). Doesn’t make for great confidence in my language skills, but they seem to be entertained if nothing else. Oh, and I’m trying to break the habit of ‘please’ after everything I ask for. Alex said it just confuses people. So much for being polite. I'm also glad he's just now telling me this.
3. for power. My little house on campus seems to be exempt from the scheduled power cuts every night this week. Good thing, because matches scare me, and my roommates aren’t here to save me if I light myself on fire.
*Looked it up and the last war Sweden had was in was 1814. It’s official. I’ll look into a visa as soon as I’m home and have enjoyed all of the comforts that unethical business practices have given me for a few weeks.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Home is where your rump rests."
7/7/11
Wise words, Pumbaa. I love The Lion King. We watched it tonight in honor of Dani and Verity’s trip to Queen Elizabeth park this weekend (the one I’ve been to already). It is kind of fun to watch it and point out all of the animals I’ve seen here. And it’s still just a great movie. We have a gecko that doesn’t stick as well to the ceiling as he likes to think he does, so he is now named Zazu for his flying skills.
The HIV clinic has proven to be a difficult place for me to be. I honestly can’t understand why my heart aches so much there, when where I usually work is considered a pretty heart wrenching place itself. For some reason, I still see a lot of hope on my Aflac unit, and I can function, even in all of the sorrow that accompanies my days there.
Thursdays are Pediatric Clinic days. The appointments are only for pediatric patients. I sat in on a counseling session, and the kids were amazing. At age 5, they start getting counseling about the medicines they’re on, why they’re on them, how they got HIV, why they have to take them everyday, what they want to be when they grow up, and so on. The kids were beautiful and healthy looking, and answered with smiles and full understanding (it wasn’t their first session). Their caretakers also get counseling on how to discuss HIV with their children, and the best ways to approach the subject. Soon after, the kids ran to play with some bikes and soccer balls. Children will always be more resilient than adults.
I had a moment of severe wealthy white girl guilt when one little girl (Samantha) in a beautiful yellow dress bowed for me. I was so caught off guard, that I had to try not to laugh out of awkwardness. I wanted to apologize and tell her I’m not worth that, and she’s worth a hundred of me. But how do you even start explaining that?
The hardest part of my day was watching the HIV positive mothers bringing in their newborn babies to be tested for HIV. Can you imagine living in a culture where having children is of the utmost importance, but your doctors frown on you for getting pregnant and exposing your child? Let alone if your child is HIV positive how do you cope with knowing that one day you’ll have to explain to them how they ended up with that lifelong disease? And if the disease wasn’t bad enough, try the stigma associated with it even if you do get to school age (some kids get beat up for going to the school nurse for their therapy several times a day) or dating age or marriage age. Or if their parents die, and they go to another family, try the stigma there, when you’re costing money and time, and you’re pushed aside except for maybe the inheritance left to you, which is taken right away just to feed the family. The treatment of HIV and the access to drugs and the acceptability of condom use no longer seems to be the problem from what I’ve seen (at least in Uganda). How do you fix the rest of it, though?
I did have a few good moments in the day. After lunch, the clinic dentist, Maureen, said she had something for me. She pulled out a beautiful and simple royal blue and white sundress that she bought for me over the last weekend. I sat with her at the school screening last week, and had complimented her dress, and told her how much I missed my own, but had a hard time with sizes here. She shops a lot for other people to make some extra money, and she got me the perfect size in a girly dress that is my favorite color and makes my new tan look amazing. I don't think she'll realize that was probably the best gift I could get (silly as it sounds). I got a little teary, and couldn’t thank her enough for helping me feel pretty, and even just thinking of me. I am undeserving (I felt better that she let me pay her for it, it is her side business), but “my cup runneth over.”
I’m thankful...
1. for kind people who gave me one of the nicest gifts I’ll ever know. I am blessed.
2. for the little person who sells ground nuts next to the clinic. I know it shouldn’t be funny, but it’s the funniest image I’ve seen in awhile. I was told his wife is actually quite tall.
3. for discovering new books found on the shelf at the guest house. There are a few that I actually wanted to read, so that’s promising for my weekend to myself.
Goodnight, my loves.
Wise words, Pumbaa. I love The Lion King. We watched it tonight in honor of Dani and Verity’s trip to Queen Elizabeth park this weekend (the one I’ve been to already). It is kind of fun to watch it and point out all of the animals I’ve seen here. And it’s still just a great movie. We have a gecko that doesn’t stick as well to the ceiling as he likes to think he does, so he is now named Zazu for his flying skills.
The HIV clinic has proven to be a difficult place for me to be. I honestly can’t understand why my heart aches so much there, when where I usually work is considered a pretty heart wrenching place itself. For some reason, I still see a lot of hope on my Aflac unit, and I can function, even in all of the sorrow that accompanies my days there.
Thursdays are Pediatric Clinic days. The appointments are only for pediatric patients. I sat in on a counseling session, and the kids were amazing. At age 5, they start getting counseling about the medicines they’re on, why they’re on them, how they got HIV, why they have to take them everyday, what they want to be when they grow up, and so on. The kids were beautiful and healthy looking, and answered with smiles and full understanding (it wasn’t their first session). Their caretakers also get counseling on how to discuss HIV with their children, and the best ways to approach the subject. Soon after, the kids ran to play with some bikes and soccer balls. Children will always be more resilient than adults.
I had a moment of severe wealthy white girl guilt when one little girl (Samantha) in a beautiful yellow dress bowed for me. I was so caught off guard, that I had to try not to laugh out of awkwardness. I wanted to apologize and tell her I’m not worth that, and she’s worth a hundred of me. But how do you even start explaining that?
The hardest part of my day was watching the HIV positive mothers bringing in their newborn babies to be tested for HIV. Can you imagine living in a culture where having children is of the utmost importance, but your doctors frown on you for getting pregnant and exposing your child? Let alone if your child is HIV positive how do you cope with knowing that one day you’ll have to explain to them how they ended up with that lifelong disease? And if the disease wasn’t bad enough, try the stigma associated with it even if you do get to school age (some kids get beat up for going to the school nurse for their therapy several times a day) or dating age or marriage age. Or if their parents die, and they go to another family, try the stigma there, when you’re costing money and time, and you’re pushed aside except for maybe the inheritance left to you, which is taken right away just to feed the family. The treatment of HIV and the access to drugs and the acceptability of condom use no longer seems to be the problem from what I’ve seen (at least in Uganda). How do you fix the rest of it, though?
I did have a few good moments in the day. After lunch, the clinic dentist, Maureen, said she had something for me. She pulled out a beautiful and simple royal blue and white sundress that she bought for me over the last weekend. I sat with her at the school screening last week, and had complimented her dress, and told her how much I missed my own, but had a hard time with sizes here. She shops a lot for other people to make some extra money, and she got me the perfect size in a girly dress that is my favorite color and makes my new tan look amazing. I don't think she'll realize that was probably the best gift I could get (silly as it sounds). I got a little teary, and couldn’t thank her enough for helping me feel pretty, and even just thinking of me. I am undeserving (I felt better that she let me pay her for it, it is her side business), but “my cup runneth over.”
I’m thankful...
1. for kind people who gave me one of the nicest gifts I’ll ever know. I am blessed.
2. for the little person who sells ground nuts next to the clinic. I know it shouldn’t be funny, but it’s the funniest image I’ve seen in awhile. I was told his wife is actually quite tall.
3. for discovering new books found on the shelf at the guest house. There are a few that I actually wanted to read, so that’s promising for my weekend to myself.
Goodnight, my loves.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Good Vibrations
7/6/11
It's been a pretty good day. Dr. Alex kind of took me on as his project today, and he taught me all he could think of about HIV, Ugandan culture, ward rounds, and Ugandan politics. As random as those topics sound, it was actually a really good day for learning. I also did a minute amount of writing. I came home and Verity and I took a long walk (yay exercise!), found some Ugandan chocolate that actually tasted great, and we did a take out night (they know our voices, we don't have to give our address anymore). One random thing I've noticed here is that t-shirts have no meaning. It's like everyone buys their shirts from Goodwill, but they have no idea what they mean. Our delivery guy was walking around with the names of graduates from some high school in Nevada on his shirt. I also saw a kid in an Atlanta Braves t-shirt, and I was pretty pleased with that. I'm not sure how the t-shirt market works, but it makes for some fascinating stuff to look at on the street. Not much else to add here, but a good day nonetheless.
I'm thankful...
1. for Meg Olive being born several years ago today. Yay for Meg! She's on my list of longest running friends. Are we up to 14 years now? We're crazy old, and we've got TONS of stories between us. I like those kinds of friends.
2. for long walks. They're nice at home, too. I'll be glad to have more in both places.
3. for Coke. I drank one this morning, and one this afternoon. When someone asked my why I drank so much of it, Alex spoke for me and said "She's from Atlanta. It's what they do." Glad I can represent. I just told them if they thought I was addicted they should meet my mother.
Goodnight my loves!
It's been a pretty good day. Dr. Alex kind of took me on as his project today, and he taught me all he could think of about HIV, Ugandan culture, ward rounds, and Ugandan politics. As random as those topics sound, it was actually a really good day for learning. I also did a minute amount of writing. I came home and Verity and I took a long walk (yay exercise!), found some Ugandan chocolate that actually tasted great, and we did a take out night (they know our voices, we don't have to give our address anymore). One random thing I've noticed here is that t-shirts have no meaning. It's like everyone buys their shirts from Goodwill, but they have no idea what they mean. Our delivery guy was walking around with the names of graduates from some high school in Nevada on his shirt. I also saw a kid in an Atlanta Braves t-shirt, and I was pretty pleased with that. I'm not sure how the t-shirt market works, but it makes for some fascinating stuff to look at on the street. Not much else to add here, but a good day nonetheless.
I'm thankful...
1. for Meg Olive being born several years ago today. Yay for Meg! She's on my list of longest running friends. Are we up to 14 years now? We're crazy old, and we've got TONS of stories between us. I like those kinds of friends.
2. for long walks. They're nice at home, too. I'll be glad to have more in both places.
3. for Coke. I drank one this morning, and one this afternoon. When someone asked my why I drank so much of it, Alex spoke for me and said "She's from Atlanta. It's what they do." Glad I can represent. I just told them if they thought I was addicted they should meet my mother.
Goodnight my loves!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming"
7/5/11
I'm having a hard time trying not to count the days. It's been another great day here, but I'm so ready to be home, and talking about it seems to make it worse. Anyway, life here. I started off a little cranky, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was back at the HIV clinic today, and saw some new stuff with the counselors. They were short staffed in the pharmacy, so I counted pills into plastic bags for a couple of hours, too. I got to leave at lunchtime (I'm glad Dr. Alex has a bad work ethic), and got caught up on errands and hygiene and emails. I did have a rough patch today, and I hit up the bakery here to drown some sorrows. It's a pretty good place, but I wish they'd be a little more American and overdo the sugar. I had a really good 'Swiss biscuit' and a Coke, and I think that helped a lot. We watched Finding Nemo tonight, and the sea turtles made me so ready for Fripp Island with the family I couldn't stand it. I'm shouting out to Meghan and my other Church Hall ladies because we watched that movie so many times, and Meghan knew it by heart before the rest of us. And in the immortal words of Dory, I will keep swimming, because I know I will be home sooner than I realize.
I'm thankful...
1. for calming presences in my life. I've learned I don't deal as well with stress as I thought I did...Grizzle family trait.
2. for sea turtles. They're awesome.
3. for cookies during a rough patch. I know you shouldn't solve problems with food, but it did help.
Goodnight, all. Love you!
I'm having a hard time trying not to count the days. It's been another great day here, but I'm so ready to be home, and talking about it seems to make it worse. Anyway, life here. I started off a little cranky, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I was back at the HIV clinic today, and saw some new stuff with the counselors. They were short staffed in the pharmacy, so I counted pills into plastic bags for a couple of hours, too. I got to leave at lunchtime (I'm glad Dr. Alex has a bad work ethic), and got caught up on errands and hygiene and emails. I did have a rough patch today, and I hit up the bakery here to drown some sorrows. It's a pretty good place, but I wish they'd be a little more American and overdo the sugar. I had a really good 'Swiss biscuit' and a Coke, and I think that helped a lot. We watched Finding Nemo tonight, and the sea turtles made me so ready for Fripp Island with the family I couldn't stand it. I'm shouting out to Meghan and my other Church Hall ladies because we watched that movie so many times, and Meghan knew it by heart before the rest of us. And in the immortal words of Dory, I will keep swimming, because I know I will be home sooner than I realize.
I'm thankful...
1. for calming presences in my life. I've learned I don't deal as well with stress as I thought I did...Grizzle family trait.
2. for sea turtles. They're awesome.
3. for cookies during a rough patch. I know you shouldn't solve problems with food, but it did help.
Goodnight, all. Love you!
Monday, July 4, 2011
"It's Independence Day!"
7/4/11 (a little late, the Internet was down last night)
Do you ever play a game with yourself and ask where you were a year ago? I’ve been playing that game a lot recently, and today was kind of fun. This time last year, I was in Columbus at Meg’s river house with her family, eating outside, swimming in dirty water, eating late night Sonic, and celebrating Meg’s birthday with good cake and good friends. I’m pretty sure we went to some $1 movie, too, but I can’t remember. I do remember Meg, JR, and I trying to get into the river house without a key, and a chair ended up broken, and JR ended up with a pretty big gash on his leg.
This year, I’m in Uganda, eating fish off of the bone, writing a potentially publishable program evaluation, and finding a new passion for HIV patients. I got to go to the HIV clinic today, and it was fascinating, and I liked it a lot. Everyone enrolled there gets free medical care. Period. It’s amazing, and really well run. The adherence nurse has a great job, where she sees all of the patients, asks if they’re having any problems on their therapy, counts their pills to see if they’re having any trouble remembering to take them, gives them counseling, advice, and sends them on to the doctor if they need one. She seemed to know most of the patients pretty well, and she was personable, yet stern when necessary. She obviously has a lot of passion for what she does. You can tell that in just a couple of conversations with her, and she loves that her job is able to give people hope, because they all need it. I figured she was a kindred spirit when she said that.
It wasn’t quite this time last year, but it was close, that my whole world came crashing down very quickly. I hope that this July is not a repeat. But thinking of where I was then, and how I am now, my feelings about the whole situation have changed. I’m grateful for resiliency, the strength to move on (even though it was slow going), and the excitement of starting something with someone new when I return. I am better and stronger after all that happened, it feels like something that is very much my past rather than my present, and that gives me hope. I think they call that healing. And it also feels very much like independence. So while I will be thankful for the independence of our country from colonialism, I’m also going to be grateful for my own newfound independence as well.
I’m thankful...
1. For independence in all forms. I pray that the people here will one day know freedom from poverty and illness, too.
2. For nice nurses who are willing to teach. I really enjoyed my day.
3. For sunscreen. I wish it had worked better on my face because this burn is embarrassing.
Enjoy some fireworks for me, I miss those!
Do you ever play a game with yourself and ask where you were a year ago? I’ve been playing that game a lot recently, and today was kind of fun. This time last year, I was in Columbus at Meg’s river house with her family, eating outside, swimming in dirty water, eating late night Sonic, and celebrating Meg’s birthday with good cake and good friends. I’m pretty sure we went to some $1 movie, too, but I can’t remember. I do remember Meg, JR, and I trying to get into the river house without a key, and a chair ended up broken, and JR ended up with a pretty big gash on his leg.
This year, I’m in Uganda, eating fish off of the bone, writing a potentially publishable program evaluation, and finding a new passion for HIV patients. I got to go to the HIV clinic today, and it was fascinating, and I liked it a lot. Everyone enrolled there gets free medical care. Period. It’s amazing, and really well run. The adherence nurse has a great job, where she sees all of the patients, asks if they’re having any problems on their therapy, counts their pills to see if they’re having any trouble remembering to take them, gives them counseling, advice, and sends them on to the doctor if they need one. She seemed to know most of the patients pretty well, and she was personable, yet stern when necessary. She obviously has a lot of passion for what she does. You can tell that in just a couple of conversations with her, and she loves that her job is able to give people hope, because they all need it. I figured she was a kindred spirit when she said that.
It wasn’t quite this time last year, but it was close, that my whole world came crashing down very quickly. I hope that this July is not a repeat. But thinking of where I was then, and how I am now, my feelings about the whole situation have changed. I’m grateful for resiliency, the strength to move on (even though it was slow going), and the excitement of starting something with someone new when I return. I am better and stronger after all that happened, it feels like something that is very much my past rather than my present, and that gives me hope. I think they call that healing. And it also feels very much like independence. So while I will be thankful for the independence of our country from colonialism, I’m also going to be grateful for my own newfound independence as well.
I’m thankful...
1. For independence in all forms. I pray that the people here will one day know freedom from poverty and illness, too.
2. For nice nurses who are willing to teach. I really enjoyed my day.
3. For sunscreen. I wish it had worked better on my face because this burn is embarrassing.
Enjoy some fireworks for me, I miss those!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
"You give a little love, and it all comes back to you"
7/2-3/11
Hello All!
It’s been a great weekend. I actually stayed in town this weekend, got a little sleep, got a facial (they actually did a really great job), went to the market, had a great night with cards and gin, made it to the pool today (great tan, except my face which is red as a lobster, thanks equator sun), and am heading to bed early tonight.
One major highlight was an email from my coworker, Melissa. She went to the camp for our patients that they have every year, and she made sure to tell me that my very favorite kid of all time looked great 3 years later, and was having fun and breaking hearts. He asked about me (awww), and she got some pictures that I can’t wait to see. I LOVE this kid. I think he’s the reason I’ve stayed on that floor for so long. We made each other laugh, he loved to dance to Footloose, I taught him how to shoot saline syringes like water guns (and later regretted it), we got through some pretty scary nights together when he would get REALLY sick, he called me his girlfriend, he always had a good attitude even when he felt like poo or when I made a mistake (I was a new nurse), and I am so thankful that he’s happy. I miss that job! Even though it’s hard and it sucks a lot, I won’t ever forget him, or many others, and how many jobs give you people like that in your life?
Anyway. I’m thankful...
1. for reminders of former patients. Again, I LOVE that kid.
2. for remembering I actually brought Pepcid with me, but forgot I had it.
3. for two days without rain! Yay!
4. for clean pools that serve ice cream and play bad music. It’s a fun place, and it’s a 5 minute walk from where we live.
5. for facials. I’ve never had one, but it was lovely. I’ll do it again, as long as my face doesn’t break out from this one.
6. for Oreos. They’re the best cookie ever, even in Africa. I think God knew I would need those here.
Happy long weekend! You are loved!
Hello All!
It’s been a great weekend. I actually stayed in town this weekend, got a little sleep, got a facial (they actually did a really great job), went to the market, had a great night with cards and gin, made it to the pool today (great tan, except my face which is red as a lobster, thanks equator sun), and am heading to bed early tonight.
One major highlight was an email from my coworker, Melissa. She went to the camp for our patients that they have every year, and she made sure to tell me that my very favorite kid of all time looked great 3 years later, and was having fun and breaking hearts. He asked about me (awww), and she got some pictures that I can’t wait to see. I LOVE this kid. I think he’s the reason I’ve stayed on that floor for so long. We made each other laugh, he loved to dance to Footloose, I taught him how to shoot saline syringes like water guns (and later regretted it), we got through some pretty scary nights together when he would get REALLY sick, he called me his girlfriend, he always had a good attitude even when he felt like poo or when I made a mistake (I was a new nurse), and I am so thankful that he’s happy. I miss that job! Even though it’s hard and it sucks a lot, I won’t ever forget him, or many others, and how many jobs give you people like that in your life?
Anyway. I’m thankful...
1. for reminders of former patients. Again, I LOVE that kid.
2. for remembering I actually brought Pepcid with me, but forgot I had it.
3. for two days without rain! Yay!
4. for clean pools that serve ice cream and play bad music. It’s a fun place, and it’s a 5 minute walk from where we live.
5. for facials. I’ve never had one, but it was lovely. I’ll do it again, as long as my face doesn’t break out from this one.
6. for Oreos. They’re the best cookie ever, even in Africa. I think God knew I would need those here.
Happy long weekend! You are loved!
Friday, July 1, 2011
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world"
7/1/11
It’s July! I’m excited to be in the same month as my departure date, but I know that there’s still a good amount of time left, so I'm trying not to get too excited. It wasn’t a terribly eventful day. I spent most of it trying to write, but then I’d always find some new distraction, so not a lot of writing actually happened. Oops. That can be what Sunday is for. My stomach is starting to revolt in a new way. I have been having heartburn for several days now, and I kept thinking it would just go away, but today around lunchtime while in tears, I just decided to go to the pharmacy and find some version of an antacid. All they had was something kind of like Pepto Bismol, which helps, but eating is still kind of painful. I feel bad for making light of people who deal with it all the time, because it really does suck. It doesn’t help that I’m a wimp when I feel bad.
I finished rereading The Bean Trees tonight. I really like Barbara Kingsolver (she also wrote The Poisonwood Bible, I recommend both). She’s big on seeing people as people, not as lesser versions of ourselves, and she’s big on plants as metaphors, both themes that I like. The Bean Trees talks about our invisible systems for growth as people (also how plants survive and thrive in the desert), and I’m grateful that my system for survival in Africa is not so invisible. I have a mountain of letters and cards, tons of emails, a fantastic family, a clinic full of people, and a house full of roommates to help me survive here, and maybe thrive with a little more time. I am blessed.
To Meg and Susan-you have both quoted the same movie to tell me to lose every bit of myself while I’m here. I’m not going to lie, I hated that quote the first time I read it. I’ve worked really hard to get to this version of myself, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to give it up that easily. I think I’m just now starting to realize how I have already changed, and how I can change a little more before it’s time to go. I don’t think I’ve lost every bit of myself, and I’m not sure I like all the things that I have gained, but it means more now than it did. I hope that if nothing else, I’m a little more patient, a little less controlling, a little more assertive, a lot less ignorant, a little less willing to give up and return to my comfort zone, a little more tolerant, a little more willing to acknowledge that I desperately need to listen to others, and a lot more motivated to pitch a fit for more fairness in the world where it can be found.
I’m thankful...
1. for Toblerone. Anyone know if they sell that in the States? It’s amazing. Adam left today, but he gave us his leftovers, and that made my day!
2. for good books. I’m running out, and need to find more.
3. for an easy day. I like them a lot.
Goodnight All! You are loved!
It’s July! I’m excited to be in the same month as my departure date, but I know that there’s still a good amount of time left, so I'm trying not to get too excited. It wasn’t a terribly eventful day. I spent most of it trying to write, but then I’d always find some new distraction, so not a lot of writing actually happened. Oops. That can be what Sunday is for. My stomach is starting to revolt in a new way. I have been having heartburn for several days now, and I kept thinking it would just go away, but today around lunchtime while in tears, I just decided to go to the pharmacy and find some version of an antacid. All they had was something kind of like Pepto Bismol, which helps, but eating is still kind of painful. I feel bad for making light of people who deal with it all the time, because it really does suck. It doesn’t help that I’m a wimp when I feel bad.
I finished rereading The Bean Trees tonight. I really like Barbara Kingsolver (she also wrote The Poisonwood Bible, I recommend both). She’s big on seeing people as people, not as lesser versions of ourselves, and she’s big on plants as metaphors, both themes that I like. The Bean Trees talks about our invisible systems for growth as people (also how plants survive and thrive in the desert), and I’m grateful that my system for survival in Africa is not so invisible. I have a mountain of letters and cards, tons of emails, a fantastic family, a clinic full of people, and a house full of roommates to help me survive here, and maybe thrive with a little more time. I am blessed.
To Meg and Susan-you have both quoted the same movie to tell me to lose every bit of myself while I’m here. I’m not going to lie, I hated that quote the first time I read it. I’ve worked really hard to get to this version of myself, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to give it up that easily. I think I’m just now starting to realize how I have already changed, and how I can change a little more before it’s time to go. I don’t think I’ve lost every bit of myself, and I’m not sure I like all the things that I have gained, but it means more now than it did. I hope that if nothing else, I’m a little more patient, a little less controlling, a little more assertive, a lot less ignorant, a little less willing to give up and return to my comfort zone, a little more tolerant, a little more willing to acknowledge that I desperately need to listen to others, and a lot more motivated to pitch a fit for more fairness in the world where it can be found.
I’m thankful...
1. for Toblerone. Anyone know if they sell that in the States? It’s amazing. Adam left today, but he gave us his leftovers, and that made my day!
2. for good books. I’m running out, and need to find more.
3. for an easy day. I like them a lot.
Goodnight All! You are loved!
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